Blog

Blog

You are here

Blog

This week New York City became the largest city in the country to restore a fair workweek for fast food and retail workers. Joining cities and states across the country, tens of thousands of New...

This week New York City became the largest city in the country to restore a fair workweek for fast food and retail workers. Joining cities and states across the country, tens of thousands of New Yorkers working in fast food and retail will have balanced and flexible workweeks they can count on.

Fast food and retail workers along with SEIU 32BJ, Fast Food Forward, RWDSU and Retail Action Project drove the campaign that moved the City Council and Mayor DeBlasio to act swiftly to make a fair workweek law in New York City. More than 3,000 fast-food workers and their allies signed a petition and many workers went on strike calling on corporate chains to provide a fair workweek. CPD’s Fair Workweek Initiative and A Better Balance actively supported the coalition with policy, communications, research and campaigning expertise.

These commonsense standards provide working parents and students with more flexibility, balance and voice in their work hours by ensuring adequate notice of their work schedule, enough time between shifts to ensure a healthy rest, and more opportunity to access full-time hours. Fast food workers will now also have the right to contribute to a non-profit worker organization through payroll contributions - a major break-through law that gives fast food workers a new pathway for a voice at work.

New York City is the fourth city in the country to pass comprehensive fair workweek protections, following Seattle, San Francisco, and Emeryville, California. Washington, DC and San Jose, California, have also passed new work hours laws in the past year. These victories have turned jobs marked by uncertainty and instability into good jobs that offer economic empowerment. Now hundreds of thousands of working people across the country have the chance to work with stability and respect. It’s clear that the movement for a fair workweek is catching fire and we only expect it to grow.

On May 7, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a new law (SB4), essentially allowing police to ask for immigration papers of anyone they suspect of being undocumented. Governor Abbott signed the law...

On May 7, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a new law (SB4), essentially allowing police to ask for immigration papers of anyone they suspect of being undocumented. Governor Abbott signed the law live on Facebook, without taking any questions from the press. At the same time, the Texas Attorney General sued Austin Councilmember, and Local Progress Board member Greg Casar and his colleagues for questioning the constitutionality of this immoral and unethical law. Read Greg's steadfast response in The New York Times. CPD affiliates, Texas Organizing Project and Workers Defense Project, have been leading the fight against SB4. Local Progress has been working to support Greg as he convenes community allies, grassroots organizations, state and legislative leaders as they launch a summer of resistance, to prevent the bill from going into effect on September 1, 2017.

Among the defendants named in the lawsuit is Sheriff Sally Hernandez of Travis County, which includes the state capitol, Austin, who said this year she would not voluntarily comply with federal requests to detain people solely on the basis of their immigration status, Austin Mayor Steve Adler, the city’s interim city manager, all of Austin’s City Council members, and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, a civil rights organization.

Local Progress has been working to support Greg as he works to convene community allies, grassroots organizations, and state legislative leaders as they launch a summer of resistance, to prevent the bill from going into effect on September 1, 2017. They held a press conference on May 16, with over 100 people and elected officials from the state’s largest cities, including Local Progress members and Austin City Councilmembers Delia Garza and Ann Kitchen, Commissioner David Stout from El Paso, Houston Councilmember Robert Gallegos, Councilmember Ray Saldaña from San Antonio. They announced their intention to file a lawsuit and encouraged cities across the state to join with them.

On May 17, Greg Casar was featured in the NY Times with an Op Ed talking about how Texans are fighting back against this unconstitutional and immoral state law. CPD’s communications team worked with Greg to place an op-ed in the New York Times. You can read the article here. Please take a moment to share it on social media with the hashtag #SB4ishate.

On May 22, the Fed Up Coalition met with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Federal Reserve, Janet Yellen and Stanley Fischer, two of the most powerful economic policy makers in the country. Members...

On May 22, the Fed Up Coalition met with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Federal Reserve, Janet Yellen and Stanley Fischer, two of the most powerful economic policy makers in the country. Members from TOP, MORE, NYCC, MRNY, SPACEs, OnePA, Action NC, and NOC, came together to tell the Fed that the economic recovery was incomplete, and that the Fed was under threat from the Trump administration.

Paola Angel of MRNY, let Yellen know that, despite our disagreements, we recognized Yellen's massive contributions towards creating jobs and lifting us out of the depths of the great recession. She said, "your pursuit of full employment, and attention to racial and economic inequality has made it easier for me to pay the rent and and put food on my table. I live a more dignified life because of the work that you have done." Rod Adams from NOC delivered 20,000 petition signatures asking Chair Yellen to stay as Chairperson and not leaving her job for a Trump appointee.

The coalition also pushed Chair Yellen on diversity in the Federal Reserve's governance and leadership, and demanded that the Fed re-examine the arbitrary 2% inflation target that is used to justify slowing the economy down. Chair Yellen seemed to be very moved and impacted by our members' messages, and it is rare that anyone -- let alone low-income people of color -- get such access to impact the thinking of the powerful Chair of the Federal Reserve. Next, we will be working on actions in DC, Philadelphia, and New York to fight against possible interest rate hikes in June that could potentially slow down employment and worker power in our communities! You can receive regular updates from the Fed Up campaign by liking them on Facebook here.

This year on May 1, CPD affiliates and partners from Washington, DC to Salem, OR, filled the streets with actions and demonstrations in honor of May Day. Immigrants, workers, and allies mobilized in...

This year on May 1, CPD affiliates and partners from Washington, DC to Salem, OR, filled the streets with actions and demonstrations in honor of May Day. Immigrants, workers, and allies mobilized in large numbers to support CPD’s latest campaign against the Corporate Backers of Hate - a campaign that targets nine of the country’s largest corporations that stand to profit from Trump’s hateful agenda and most egregiously prioritize profits over people. Almost all of our partner organizations took part in May Day with ten actions targeting specific corporations in various cities and states, with a particular focus on Wells Fargo and JP Morgan Chase - because of their financial ties to immigrant detention centers and private prison companies. Read press from the day's events in The Washington Post, The New York Times, and U.S. News. You can see highlights from the actions on our blog!

May Day Actions and Events

Washington, DC – CPD partner, CASA in Action, together with local allies, led a May Day march and rally in the nation’s capital, with thousands of protesters marching from Dupont Circle to end up rallying in front of the White House.

Press clips:May Day protest: 'I support immigrants. But closing businesses is really tough.'
The Washington Post, May 1, 2017

Minnesota – CPD partners, CTUL, NOC and TAMN were part of a broad coalition that organized several days of May Day events, including “A Day Without Immigrants” action and protests at Home Depot, and the Franklin Street Bakery in support of the Fight for $15 (minimum wage).

Press clips:On May Day, Protestors Take to the Streets Nationwide
The New York Times, May 1, 2017

Pennsylvania – CPD partners, Make the Road PA (MRPA), One PA, and CASA worked together with other allies to organize community and student protests all over the state, converging for a rally in the state capital, Harrisburg. In Reading, PA, at a march organized by MRPA, several hundred people protested against ‘287g’, a federal program which would let the sheriff's office partner with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). MRPA also helped organize more than 120 businesses to close their doors on May Day in support of immigrants and workers’ rights.

Hundreds in Reading take to streets for May Day protest
WFMZ, May 1, 2017

Phoenix, AZ – CPD partner, LUCHA, together with local allies, organized a march from the Arizona State Capitol to the Fourth Avenue Jail in support of immigrants and workers’ rights, and to demand an end to the collaboration between federal ICE agents and the county jail.

Press clips:Hundreds Take to the Streets in Phoenix May Day March
U.S.News, May 2, 2017

Detroit, MI – CPD partner, Good Jobs Now (GJN) organized student walk-outs in five high schools and one middle school in primarily black neighborhoods of Detroit that have been devastated by the lack of resources for public education. Organizers of the walk-outs reported that as many as a thousand students walked out of school and participated in rallies to protest against school closures.

Corporate Backers of Hate Actions and Events

New York City, NY – CPD partners, Make the Road New York (MRNY), New York Communities for Change (NYCC), and other local allies kicked off May Day with an early morning action targeting corporate backers of hate Wells Fargo and JP Morgan Chase. Thousands of protesters carried a banner which read, “Their profits, our pain,” as well as large photos of immigrant family members. They marched to Wells Fargo and then to JP Morgan’s Park Ave headquarters, where a dozen people participated in civil disobedience and were consequently arrested.

Press clips:Dozens of protesters arrested during May Day rallies in Manhattan
New York Daily News, May 2, 2016

May Day March in NYC to Call Out Trump Agenda
New York 1, May 1, 2017

Charlotte, NC – CPD partner, Action NC held a rally outside of Bank of America to protest Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and other corporations that are complicit with Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda. Bank of America locked its doors before the protesters could get inside, to deliver a letter demanding that Bank of America distance itself from elected officials who support Trump’s immigration policies.

Aurora, CO – CPD partner, UNE/FRESC along with Good Jobs, Strong Communities, and otherl allies, organized a vigil to honor immigrants currently detained at the Aurora Detention Center. Felicia Griffin, Director of FRESC, spoke at the event to denounce Wells Fargo and JP Morgan Chase’s financial ties to the GEO Group and other companies that run private immigration detention centers (including the Aurora Detention Center). This May Day event also included a rally to demand that Colorado companies remove their bid for the US-Mexico border wall project. Due to this public pressure, PCL, a major CO construction company, announced that it would not bid for Trump’s proposed border wall project.

Suffolk County, NY – members of MRNY in Long Island kicked off their May Day march by delivering a letter to JP Morgan Chase, demanding that it distance itself from Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda. Rosalba, a member of MRNY, spoke at the rally about her 53-year-old son who has a diagnosed mental health condition, was recently detained, and is now facing deportation.

Elizabeth, NJ – Make the Road New Jersey (MRNJ) organized a banner walk from Wells Fargo to JP Morgan Chase. MRNJ members carried hand-painted banners and passed out flyers in front of both locations.

San Jose, CA – Working Partnerships USA (WPUSA), together with a broad local coalition, organized a day-long demonstration followed by a march. The theme of the day was Breaking Walls, Building Bridges, and symbolic walls visually highlighted the role of corporate backers of hate in creating walls of bigotry and economic inequality.

Phoenix, AZ – The May Day march in Phoenix (described above) included a rally in front of Wells Fargo.

Washington, DC – the May Day march in Washington (described above) included a stop at a local Wells Fargo bank and JP Morgan Private Bank’s global office, where activists delivered a demand letter.

Reading, PA – the May Day march in Reading (described above) included a stop at a local Wells Fargo bank.

Salem, OR – PCUN, together with Oregon’s statewide immigrant rights coalition, organized a May Day march and rally, which denounced Wells Fargo and JP Morgan Chase.

On May 9, the San Jose City Council voted 9-2 for the Just Cause urgency ordinance, putting crucial new protections for renters into effect immediately. Now 450,000 tenants in San Jose, CA, can no...

On May 9, the San Jose City Council voted 9-2 for the Just Cause urgency ordinance, putting crucial new protections for renters into effect immediately. Now 450,000 tenants in San Jose, CA, can no longer be evicted without a valid reason. Since the Council first voted to develop a Just Cause ordinance in April, San Jose has seen a rise in no cause evictions as unscrupulous landlords sought to evict tenants before the new rules took effect. This urgency ordinance prevents any more last-minute evictions from landlords trying to game the system.

CPD affiliate Working Partnerships USA worked tirelessly to secure this victory as part of the Silicon Valley Renters’ Rights Coalition, collaborating with the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley, PACT South Bay, Latinos United for a New America, Sacred Heart Community Service, Silicon Valley De-Bug, the Santa Clara County Affordable Housing Network, and Tenants Together to prevent a flood of last-minute evictions.

CPD would like to congratulate all the partners, activists and protesters who fasted, came out to City Hall, and worked so hard for Just Cause and the urgency ordinance.CPD would like to congratulate all the partners, activists and protesters who fasted, came out to City Hall, and worked so hard for Just Cause and the urgency ordinance.

This fight is not over, however. You can continue to help keep fighting displacement and addressing Silicon Valley’s affordable housing crisis. Later this year, we expect San Jose City Council to consider further protections for renters, including capping rent hikes in rent-controlled apartments at the inflation rate. Learn more and get involved here!

Join CPD friends and allies on June 26 at 7:30pm in Brooklyn, NY for Greenlight Bookstore’s next installment of their Civic Engagement Series. Greenlight’s Civic Engagement Series hosts nonprofit...

Join CPD friends and allies on June 26 at 7:30pm in Brooklyn, NY for Greenlight Bookstore’s next installment of their Civic Engagement Series. Greenlight’s Civic Engagement Series hosts nonprofit groups working in social justice, community organizing, and the arts, with the goal of providing tools for community involvement and support to those doing necessary work in our culture. Join Co-Executive Director Andrew Friedman and Senior Attorney Kumar Rao who will lead a ​discussion on how government relies on policing and incarceration policies to advance public safety, and how advocates are pushing for less damaging, fairer, and more effective safety investments in communities that promote opportunity and racial equity.

They will explore tools to reduce over-policing and criminalization of communities of color, and highlight the school-to-prison-pipeline work they are doing, particularly in the context of the new administration​​. 20% of all book sales during the entire day of the event will be donated to CPD, and an option for direct donation will be available at the event. You can learn more here.

This Saturday, June 3rd CPD will be joining #MarchForTruth to raise our voices and let our elected leaders know that Americans want answers. The legitimacy of our democracy is more important than...

This Saturday, June 3rd CPD will be joining #MarchForTruth to raise our voices and let our elected leaders know that Americans want answers. The legitimacy of our democracy is more important than the interests of any party, or any President. Join us and a number of national allies as we rise together to call for a fair and impartial investigation, for the pursuit of truth, and for the restoration of faith in our electoral system and the Office of the Presidency. More than 135 cities in the US and abroad will participate. Learn more here.

Across the country, peaceful demonstrations will be arranged on Saturday, June 3rd. Our goals are simple: An independent commission must be established to fully investigate the Trump administration’s motives for interfering in the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, and Congressional investigations should be properly resourced and pursued free of partisan interests; As much information should be made available to the public as possible, and as soon as possible; Congress should require Donald Trump to release his tax returns to clarify his business interests and obligations to any foreign entity. If crimes were committed or if collusion is discovered, it must be prosecuted.

This month, CPD Network President and Co-Executive Director, Jennifer Epps-Addison, joined MoveOn, Working Families Party, and People’s Action to co-host two more “Ready to Resist” national phone...

This month, CPD Network President and Co-Executive Director, Jennifer Epps-Addison, joined MoveOn, Working Families Party, and People’s Action to co-host two more “Ready to Resist” national phone call for activists around the country. An incredible 45,000 people joined the call in order to understand more about the challenges ahead and to how they can take action.

On April 9, Representative Maxine Waters and Representative Barbara Lee joined the call to fire up listeners about the urgency of the moment, to learn how best to engage with members of Congress, and to learn what a movement for peace and justice looks like in the Trump era. An audio recording of the call along with slides from the meeting are available at moveon.org/readytoresist.

You can RSVP for the next “Ready to Resist” mass movement call on April 30 and join tens of thousands of people united in our movement to resist the Trump agenda and protect our communities. On April 30, we will celebrate 100 Days of Resistance, and hear inspiring stories and lessons from organizers across the country as we prepare for the next phase of our resistance movement. RSVP today!

On April 29, CPD and affiliates will join hundreds of thousands of people at the People’s Climate March in Washington, D.C., to reject Trump’s attack on our communities and climate, and push forward...

On April 29, CPD and affiliates will join hundreds of thousands of people at the People’s Climate March in Washington, D.C., to reject Trump’s attack on our communities and climate, and push forward a vision for a clean energy economy that works for everyone.

The People’s Climate Mobilization is part of a larger strategy to push back on Trump’s agenda of climate denial and fossil fuel expansion, and then focus at the local level by fighting fossil fuels and lifting up real climate solutions. To change everything, we need everyone.

Please join us in welcoming MHAction to the CPD network! MHAction empowers homeowners and residents in manufactured home communities to build and win local, state and national issue campaigns that...

Please join us in welcoming MHAction to the CPD network! MHAction empowers homeowners and residents in manufactured home communities to build and win local, state and national issue campaigns that protect and strengthen the long-term viability and affordability of their communities. MHAction organizes across class, race, religion, age, citizenship status, sexual orientation and gender lines in order to build successful issue campaigns.

MHAction has successfully pushed for advances in state and local policy including the passage of a rent stabilization ordinance in Humboldt County, California and a statewide homeowner help-line in Utah. In 2016, MHAction secured an agreement to create a homeowner grievance-procedure process with Equity Lifestyle Properties, Inc., the nation’s largest corporate owner of manufactured housing communities. In March of 2017, MHAction worked with homeowners in a co-operatively owned community in Florida to resist buy-out offers from private equity firms. Most importantly, MHAction has emerged as a new and unique source of grassroots voices for social, racial and economic justice work in exurban and rural geographies across the country.

MHAction leaders have already started to collaborate with other powerful CPD affiliates like NYCC and ACCE to build a rural-exurban-urban housing justice alliance. Joining the CPD Network will allow MHAction to grow the reach of the progressive movement in rural and exurban geographies and build multi-issue campaigns to strengthen the movement for racial, gender, and economic justice.

To find out more about MHAction, like them on Facebook and join MHAction’s email list.

CPD Impact

Nov 2016: During 2016, the Federal Reserve made an historic shift in how it makes the most important economic decisions in the country. For the first time they are taking into account low-income communities of color. For the past 100 years the Fed has been dominated by white, male, corporate executives who have cared little about building an economy that works for everyone.